Grate and pallet construction



www afname/f E. W. SHALLOCK GRATE AND PALLET CONSTRUCTION Fiied July 5;,1.940

. Il JQ )46 fan* June 10, 1941.

June' 1o, 1941. E, w, sHA'LLK 2,245,136

GRATE AND PALLET CONSTRUCTION Filed July 5, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 'wwwwaz/aff Patented June 10, 1941 2,245,136 GRATE AND PALLET CONSTRUCTION"Edward W. Shallock, Chicago, Ill., assigner to American Ore ReclamationCompany, Chicago, Ill., a corporation of New York Application July 1940,Serial No. 343,999

(Cl. 26S- 21) 4 Claims.

y The present invention relates to an improvement in grate and palletstructures, suitable, particularly, 'for use, in sintering machines.

` Sintering machinesin use today are generally of the4 continuous typeand comprise a train of separate pallets which are adapted to be movedalong an endless track having an upper run and a lower run. The palletsare provided `from which the material tov be sintered is discharged ontothe grates. The pallets then pass beneath ignition means and thematerial upon `the grates is ignited, after which combustion ispropagated throughout the material by causing air to flow therethrough.The grates are subject to frequently become Warped or even maydisintegrate, thus rendering themunsatisfactory for further use. Thepallets referred to may be six feet or more in width and it is expensiveto provide a single continuous grate member for a pallet. It frequentlyhappens that only a small area of the grate may be warped or burned outyet, if but a single grate member were used, that would render itnecessary to provide an entire new grate member. Such a construction isalso objectionable in that the single grate members are difficult tohandle. It is known, in order to avoid the objections noted, to providepallets with grates formed in sections which may be individually removedfrom the pallet when unfit for further use.

The present invention isdirected to a pallet intense heat and v having asectional grate in which the parts are A "so constructed and relatedthat the grate sections may be made much smaller than heretofore and maybe removed and replaced with expedition and facility. More specifically,the grate comprises a plurality of intermediate sections confinedbetween side sections, the pallet frame and the grate sections havinginterlocking means securing them together while permitting ready removaland replacement of the grate sections by slight sidewise movement ofselected ones thereof. Further objects and ladvantages wil appear fromthe detail description.

Y In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a pallet and gratestructure made in accordance with the principles of the presentinvention, a portion of the intermediate frame of the pallet andseveralv of the intermediate grate sections being omitted for clarity ofillustration;

Figure 2 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 2 2 of Figure1, on an enlarged scale;

Figure 3 is a plan view of one of the intermediate grate sections of theembodiment of the invention illustrated in Figure 2;

Figure 4 isa sectional view taken substantially on line 4-4 of Figure 2;

' Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 5-5 of Figure2;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a portion of the pallet frame of theembodiment of the invention shown in Figures 1 and 2;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a portion of a modified form of palletframe;

Figure 8 is a sectional view taken substantially online 8--8 of Figure 7showing a modified forni of grate 'mounted in the pallet frame;

Figure 9 is a sectional view taken substantially on line 9-9 of Figure8; and 4Figure 10.is a plan view of the pin for retaining the side gratesections .upon the pallet frame.

Referring now to the embodiment of my invention shown in`Figures 1through 5, the pallet comprises a generally rectangular metallic frameB, which in use is disposed transversely of the sintering machine .andtravels lengthwise thereof, this frame having end bars 1 connected byside bars 8. Preferably, a pair of centrally spaced reinforcing ribs 9extend transversely of the pallet frame, parallel to each other and tothe end bars 1 and are connectedto the side bars 8. 'The end bars 1 andreinforcing ribs 9 may be provided with connecting Webs I0 for impartingthe desired strength to the pallet frame. The side bars 8 are eachprovided with depending brackets I2 which may be reinforced upon thepallet frame by means of suitable webs I3. The brackets I2 are adaptedto receive stub shafts I4 upon which are mounted flanged rollers orwheels I5, which travel upon the track of the sintering machine. Securedto the upper edge of each side bar 8, as by riveting, is a side plateI1. The manner Vof supporting or driving the pallet frame members formsno part of ,the present invention, it being understood that lanysuitable means may be employed for that purpose. The centrally disposedreinforcing ribs 9 are provided with inwardly extending aligned pairs ofprojections I9 for a purpose to be hereinafter referred to.

A grate 20 is mounted in the pallet frame for supporting the material,to be sintered and consistsl of a plurality of intermedi-ate gratesections 2I anda pair of side grate sections 22. In one specificapplication of my invention, in

which the pallet frame has a'length of 72", I provide seven intermediategrate sections 2| each 8" long and a pair of side grate sections 22 alsoeach 8" long, making a sectionalized grate of nine separate sections anyonev of which may readily be removed and replaced as desired ornecessary. The' grate sections 2| and 22,

preferably, each comprises a single integral casty and 22 are providedwith suitable lugs 21 which,

when the grate sections 2| and 22 are assembled upon therpallet frame,define slots 28 between each of the several grate sections 2| and 22. Itwill be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to agrate having openings or slots of the type shown since the gratesections may be formed with frusta-conical openings as disclosed in myPatent No. 1,722,344, dated July 30, 1929, or in any other suitablemanner.

Each intermediate grate section 2| is provided at its sides withdepending downwardly enlarged heads 29 which are lconnected by atranversely extending reinforcing rib 3|). Each of the heads 23 has, atits lower end, outwardly extending ear portions. 3| which definesecuring elements for engaging beneath the inwardly extendingprojections I9 of ribs 9 in interlocking relation Each of the side gratesections 22 isA thereto. provided at its inner` side with a dependinghead 32 having outwardly extending ear portions 33, and, at its outerside, with a pair of upwardly A extending spaced lugs 3l. A dentralreinforcing rib 35 extends from head 32 of each side grate section 22 tothe outer side of the latter and is t-here rounded to enable insertionof the side sections into the pallet frame in close contact with thesides thereof and the intermediate grate sections.

The inwardly extending aligned pairs of projections I9 of the centralribs 9 of the pallet frame are so arranged that their center lines arein the planes of the contacting sides of adjacent grate sections, whenthe latter are assembled in the pallet frame. The intermediate gratesections 2| are placed in the pallet frame by insertlng heads 29 betweentwo adjacent pairs of projections I 9 and then moving the grate section2| a short distance transversely ofthe pallet frame into position withears 3| disposed beneath projections I9. The side grate sections 22 maythen be positioned in the pallet frame, with the inner side of eachabutting an intermediate grate section 2|, head 32 disposed with theears 33 thereof beneath the adjacent end pair of projections I9.T-shaped pins 36 are inserted through suitable openings in the sideplates I1 and bosses 31 at the upper portions of the side bars 3, withthe heads of the pins disposed between the lugs 34 at the outer side ofeach of the side grate sections. A cotter pin 33 is inserted through theouter end oi' each pin 36 to retain it in position effective to lock theassoelated grate section upon the pallet frame.

'Ihe grate sections are supported by the upper edges of the side walls1, end walls 3 and the centrally disposed ribs 9 and are effectivelylocked in assembled position in the pallet frame. If an intermediategratesection 2| becomes warped or burned out, it may readily be removedand retion 22 and then moving the intermediate grate section slightlytransversely of the pallet frame to disengage ears 3| from beneathprojections I9. The grate section may then be lifted out and a newsection inserted and positioned in locked relation to the pallet frame,the side grate section then being replaced.

Referring now to Figures 7 through 9, I have disclosed a construction inwhich the grate 20' comprises sections in the form of individua( gratebars 40. These individual grate bars correspond substantially to asingle bar of the grate sections 2| or 22 already described, and areprovided at their outer sides with spacing lugs 21'.

Lugs 21 space bars 40 apart, when assembled in the pallet frame, toprovide slots 28' therebetween. Each bar 40 is provided with a dependinghead 29 having ears 3| for engaging the pallet frame, as will presentlyappear.

The centrally disposed parallel ribs 9' of the pallet frame (Figures '7and 8) are provided with substantially continuous inwardly extendingiianges 4| -attheir upper edges, with rectangular openings 42 at bothsides of the ribs corresponding substantially to the conguration andpreferably slightly larger than the depending heads 29 of the individualgrate bars' 40. Each side bar is retained in position by means of theheaded pin 36', the head of which seats upon the upper surface of thebar 40 and the stem portion of which extends through the opening in theside plate Il and bosses 31 of the side bar 8', the

pin 36 being retained in position by the cotter pin 38. v

In order to replace a grate bar 40, the latter may'be broken andremoved, the remaining bars moved up one space from one side of thepallet Y understood, however, that within the broader ,by any selectedones of such bars or ribs, the

securing elements of the grate bars or sections beingappropriately'disposed for cooperation with such flanges o'rprojections. For example, the end bars l or 1 of the 'pallet frame,which end bars may be considered as reinforcing ribs. may be providedwith inwardly extending projections 9 or flanges 4|, and the gratesections or bars may be provided with elements disposed to engagebeneath such projections or flanges. This variation will be clear fromthe drawings and the foregoing description, and requires no furtherdescription or illustration here.

While I have shown and described what Iconsider to be the preferredembodiments of my invention, it will be understood that I do not intendto be limited thereto since various modifications may be made withoutdeparting from the y spirit andV scope of the invention. y

placed simply by removing either side grate sec- I claim:

l.l In combination, a pallet frame having two spaced parallelreinforcing ribs provided with opposed inwardly extending projections, aplurality of grate sections seating on said frame and extending in thedirection of travel thereof, said grate sections being provided withdepending securing members defining locking elements disposed to engagebeneath said projections, the latter terminating short of opposite sidesof said frame a suicient distance to permit positioning of said gratesections by insertion of said securing members into said frame at eitherof said opposite sides thereof, selectively. by moving said gratesections along said frame from either side thereoftoward the oppositeside thereof, a side grate section seating on said frame at each of saidopposite sides confined thereby against sidewise movement and insidewise contact with adjacent intermediate grate sections effective forholding said intermediate sections in sidewise contact with said lockingelements beneath said projections, and means for restraining each ofsaid side sections against movement away from said'fr'ame.

2. In combination, a pallet frame having spaced transversely extendingreinforcing ribs 'provided with a plurality of spaced lpairs of opposedlocking lugs, a plurality of grate sections seating o n said frame andextending in the direction of travel thereof, said grate sections beingvin sidewise contact with each other and each being provided withdepending securing members defining locking elements engaging beneathsaid lugs, the pair of lugs nearest one side of said frame being spacedtherefrom asuiiicient distance to permit positioning of said gratesections by insertion of said securing members into said -restrainingthe outer side of said side section grate sections.

against movement away from said frame, said locking lugs and saidsecuring elements being arranged whereby upon removal of said sidesection said grate sections may be removed from said frame by lateralmovement thereof toward said one side a. distance substantially lessthan the width of one of said grate sections.

3. In combination, a pallet frame having two transversely extending ribsprovided with inwardly projecting flanges, a plurality of sidewisecontacting grate sections seating on said frame and extending in thedirection of travel thereof, said-grate sections having dependingsecuring members insertible into said frame between said flanges anddefining locking elements engageable beneath said flanges, said inwardlyprojecting fianges terminating-short of the side walls of said frame asuflicient distance to permit positioning .of said grate sections insaid frame from either side thereof, and means restraining the gratesections adjacent the side walls of said frame `frame and extending inthe direction of travel thereof, said intermediate grate sections havingdepending securing members defining locking elements engaging beneathsaid lugs, a pair of side grate sections seating on said frame at thesides thereof, and means restraining said side sections against movementaway from said frame, said side grate sections each contacting the sidesof the outer intermediate grate sections to prevent lateral movementthereof relative to the direction of travel of said pallet frame, saidintermediate grate sections being adapted to .be removed from said frameby limited lateral movement relative to the direction of travel of saidpallet frame to disengage said securing members from said lugs uponremoval of either of said side EDWARD W SHALLOCK.

